Fourty players appeared at the James Blond Super City Rangers open trial at Trusts Stadium last Sunday. The Rangers are well on their way to finalising a competitive team so in reality the players in attendance were scrapping for one or two places on an extended bench.
The Rangers have already signed Dillon Boucher and Daryl Corletto and have “shaken hands” with Duane Bailey and Carl Buck. They are still chasing another NZ big man to round out their starting five – expect an announcement on that pre Xmas.
Back up forwards will include Patrich Bolstad, the rookie who performed very well last year and outstanding age group player Tohi Smith-Milner.
Centre Jack Salt is still undecided if he will return for a second season, a link up with his NZ Under 20’s coach and new Waikato Pistons headman Pero Cameron is not out of the question.
It seems likely that point guard Houston O’Riley will take his skills further south to Taranaki leaving the Rangers to search for a back up point guard.
There are a number of players vying for game time in the two spot. Steven Robertson, Jason Goodwin, and Chris Fahrensohn all played a few minutes last season and with the franchise looking to develop local talent they look likely to be retained.
Other players being considered include Mark Kelly, Ana Haku and Johnny Fesolai.
The Rangers management still has a few decisions to make but one thing is certain – they have no intention of being NBL cellar dwellers in 2014.
LACEY LOWDOWN 